The scientific session on the theme “National memory and press: from verbal to public concept” dedicated to July 22 – National Press Day and the 150^th anniversary of the Azerbaijani Press was held at the Institute of Folklore of ANAS. The event was attended by Elchin Kamal, editor of Science and education news editorial office of AZERTAJ.

The event took place within the framework of a series of events held in accordance with the Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated April 2025, 25 “On holding the 150^th anniversary of the National Press of Azerbaijan”.

At the event the director of the Institute of Folklore of ANAS, Doctor of Sciences in Philology Hikmat Guliyev noted that the National Press tradition was founded with the newspaper “Ekinchi” published on the initiative of prominent intellectual Hasan Bey Zardabi. This newspaper, published in the native language of the people, played an important role in the formation of public consciousness, influenced the spread of enlightenment ideas, the awakening of national thinking.

The scientist noted that the press acted as one of the main tools in the formation of national memory, created conditions for the expression of oral knowledge in public stands, stabilization in writing and transformation into the model of conceptual thinking. The press played a special role in the presentation of folklore and oral cultural heritage to society, performed the function of social reflection and symbolization.

The scientist also spoke about digital transformations in the current age and the function of the media in the conditions of the information society, noting that today the media is not only a means of transmitting information, but also the active memory carrier and a platform for social discourse. In comparison with traditional mass media the information in the digital environment is presented through interactive social platforms.

Then the reports such as “A look at folklore in the press of the national awakening period: the position of the newspaper “Ekinchi” by PhD Khalida Mammadova, “West Azerbaijan folklore in the newspaper “Vedibasar” by PhD Tajir Samimi, “The role of the regional press in spreading the ideas of the enlightenment” by PhD, associate professor Shakir Albaliyev, “Folklore in the press: presentation, methods of use and functions” by PhD, associate professor Elchin Galiboglu were made.

The scientific session continued with discussions and speeches on the theme.